This week
Mingle with Kringle, Gainesville. Saturday, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville square. 770-297-1141.
Pancakes with Santa, Flowery Branch. Saturday, Mulberry Creek Community Center, 4491 JM Turk Road, Flowery Branch. $6 per child. 770-535-8280.
Celebration of the Season on the Square, Gainesville. Carols, drama and dancing. 5:15-6:30 p.m. Saturday, with shopping, pictures with Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides beforehand and during the event. Downtown Gainesville aquare. 678-462-2923 or russok@bellsouth.net.
Upcoming
New Year's Eve Celebration, Gainesville. Activities and crafts. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900.
Ongoing
Stone Mountain Christmas, Stone Mountain. Polar Express 4D Experience, "A Crossroads Christmas Carol," "The Gift" train show, nightly snowfall celebration, Christmas laser show and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Through Dec. 30, Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. $21 adults, $18 ages 3-11. Parking $8. 770-498-5690.
Photos with Santa, Buford. Through Dec. 24, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.
Santa Claus visits the square, Dahlonega. 1-6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Visitor's Center, downtown Dahlonega square. 706-864-3513.
Christmas tree sale and events, Blairsville. Christmas trees, train ride, marshmallow roast, hay ride, maze, slide and pony rides. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Southern Tree Plantation, 2581 Owltown Road, Blairsville. 706-745-0601.
"Tools for Living," Sautee. Exhibit of tools used to sustain early valley inhabitants. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Sautee Nacoochee Community Association History Museum, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. 706-878-3300.
Story times, Hall County. Children can listen to stories, sometimes read by special guests. Various days and times at libraries in the Hall County Library System. Free.
"Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story," Gainesville. Learn about previous eras and inhabitants of Chicopee Woods. 10 a.m. to p.m. Monday-Saturdays. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.
Babyland General Hospital, Cleveland. New facility. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Babyland General Hospital, 300 N.O.K. Drive, Cleveland. Free. 706-865-2171.